Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Foreshadowing

I fell down a rabbit hole in the form of a saver box last night. Kindergarten mementos, my baby hospital bracelet, pictures of my husband and I when we first started dating, this box held it all. Also tucked in the bottom were some of my earliest bits of writing. Character sketches, bits of stories I never finished.

But there was one completed work in there. I wrote it when I was about 11 I think? A very short story entitled Homecoming. In foreshadowing of the rest of my life, it is a military story about a girl whose brother Michael returns from the Gulf War. Interesting because I have a cousin Michael who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, years after I wrote this story.

So as a bit of nostalgia, I've included the story below. Completely unedited, as you can tell by the fact that this soldier returns from war on a commercial airplane. Enjoy!

Coming Home

Tears streamed down Alex’s face.
They weren’t tears of sadness, but ones of joy. She had just received the best
news of her life. Her older brother Michael was coming home that weekend. To
some people it might not seem important, but it was to her. Michael had been
fighting in the Gulf War and there had been question whether or not he was
alive. Her family was going to pick him up at the airport the very next day!

Today had been Alex’s last day
of school before spring break. She was extremely excited about this. Not just
because she was off school, but because she could spend the whole week with her
brother.

Ever since Michael had gone to
Kuwait, she felt as if part of her was missing. Now that part was coming home.

“Oh no!” she cried. “I’ve got so
much to do, in so little time. I have to get his room ready, buy him a present,
call friends and family, plan a surprise party. For that I’ll need streamers,
food, a banner…”

“Honey, slow down,” interrupted
her mother. “We talked to Michael this morning and he said that he didn’t want
a big homecoming. Don’t call the rest of the family either; your father and I
already did that.”

“Can I at least get his room
ready and buy him a present?”

“Yes, but let me help you with
his room. I think if you did it by yourself it would take you until next week!”
her mother replied.

Both Alex and her mom started to
laugh uncontrollably. They knew her mom’s statement was right because his room
hadn’t been cleaned since he had left.

“I’ll make a deal with you.
First we’ll clean up his room. Then you, your dad, and I will buy him a present
and go out to dinner. How does that sound?” her mother asked.

“Great! Can I tell Dad?” asked
Alex.

“Sure. You tell your father
about our plans and I’ll meet you in Michael’s room.”

“Okay, when I get upstairs, we’ll
tackle the war zone,” said Alex. Her mother started to laugh as she walked up
the stairs and Alex went and told her dad the news.

When they finished that night,
they felt tired but successful. The next morning, Alex awoke at 6:30 a.m. It
may seem early, but Michael’s plan was due to arrive at 8:00 a.m. Her family
ate a quick breakfast and then headed out to the airport. They arrived at 7:50
a.m.

“Only ten more minutes until we
get to see Michael!” Alex cried excitedly.

“Announcing the arrival of
flight 17 from Kuwait,” said the announcer.

The doors were opened and the
passengers walked into the crowded airport.

“Do you see him yet?” asked her
father.

“Yes!” cried Alex. “There he is!
He’s over by that group of chairs.”

Alex, her mom, and dad hurried
over to where Michael was. Just as they got to where he was, he turned around.
Alex, Michael, and their parents all gave each other a big hug because they
were so happy that they were together at last.